Goalkeeper Chiamaka Nnadozie saved a second-half penalty to earn Nigeria a point against Canada in a Group B game at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup tie early Friday.
The match ended goalless after 90 minutes.
The Canadians were on top of the game, with their attacking strength putting enormous pressure on the Nigerians.
Christine Sinclair attempted the first goal, but her 9th-minute curler went wide. Nigeria rallied, but Ifeoma Onumonu’s 23rd-minute effort was deflected for a corner.
Minutes later, Francisca Ordega fouled Christine Sinclair, who stepped up to take the resulting penalty kick. But Nigeria’s goalkeeper saved the 50th-minute penalty and prevented the Olympic winners from gaining the lead.
Both teams attempted to take the lead, but neither could break the tie, and the first half finished goalless.
When the second half resumed, the North Americans raced forward in pursuit of a goal, launching waves of attacks against Randy Wandrum’s girls.
Although Nigeria had a chance to score, Onumonu’s close-range attempt from Uchenna Kanu’s cross was stopped before the offside flag was raised.
With five minutes remaining, Tosin Demehin saved Nigeria’s blushes by blocking Canada’s goal-bound attempt. The Super Falcons were reduced to ten players in the 98th minute after Deborah Abiodun was shown a straight red card for a tackle on a Canadian.
In the other Group B match, co-hosts Australia beat debutants Ireland 1-0 to take the lead. The Falconets’ next game will be against the Austrians on July 27th.
